1997 Lexus LS400 Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 23%of 13 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 127,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1997 Lexus LS400, 23% of the 13 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 127,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“As I was driving, my vehicle started accelerating on it's own. When I had previously checked the speed odometer it said 50. All of a sudden the vehicle started gaining speed. I took my foot off of the gas pedal and the speed kept accelerating. I pressed the brakes and the brakes did not work! The vehicle kept accelerating. I saw a side road and turned onto it. I kept trying to stop the vehicle and it kept going. I thought to pull the emergency brake and it slowed the vehicle considerable, but it kept moving. The engine continued to accelerate. …”
NHTSA complaint #10663131, filed 2014-12, 230,000 miles“While driving my 1997 Lexus LS400 in ca on the 605 fwy, west toward 210 fwy, all systems on the car locked (steering wheel, brakes, gas pedal) as I was changing lanes. I had no control of the car and after spinning several times ran into the center divider. I was very lucky not to go over the divider into oncoming traffic and be killed. I sustained neck and head injuries and the car was totaled. I was very lucky that I survived and that no other cars or people were involved. Early in 1998 I received a recall notice and took the car in to Lexus on 2/24/98. …”
NHTSA complaint #10313402, filed 2010-02, 25,000 miles“A fire started in engine compartment while vehicle was parked in the garage. Manufacturer was notified via letter. Consumer states that 1 week prior to the fire, all the lights on the instrument panel illuminated, the radio died and the windshield wiper died, the problem was then diagnosed as a faulty alternator. …”
NHTSA complaint #8013665, filed 2002-07Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 6 | 50% |
| 1999 | 12 | 55% |
| 1998 | 14 | 31% |
| 1997 | 3 | 23% |
| 1996 | 1 | 5% |
| 1995 | 1 | 3% |
| 1993 | 5 | 8% |
| 1992 | 1 | 13% |
| 1991 | 2 | 10% |
| 1990 | 2 | 8% |
Other parts of the 1997 Lexus LS400
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Lexus LS400
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology